Comparative Effect of Scapular Stabilization vs Thoracic Extension Exercises in Young Adults With Text Neck Syndrome.

Sponsor
Riphah International University (Other)
Overall Status
Recruiting
CT.gov ID
NCT06108752
Collaborator
(none)
36
1
2
8
4.5

Study Details

Study Description

Brief Summary

The aim of the study is to compare the effect of scapular stabilization versus thoracic extension exercises on pain, disability, range of motion, and cranio-vertebral angle in young adults with Text Neck Syndrome.

Condition or Disease Intervention/Treatment Phase
  • Other: Scapular stabilization exercises
  • Other: Thoracic extension exercises
N/A

Detailed Description

Text neck has emerged as a widespread modern epidemic that affects people of all ages, particularly younger populations, as they are exposed to handheld mobile device use for several hours a day beginning at a very early age. The relation between the posture due to handheld mobile device use and neck pain is still debatable. To manage the maladaptive posture of the cervical spine, indirect treatment instead of direct treatment of the neck can be used, which is the basis for the concept of regional interdependence, i.e., the cause of pain becomes the cause of damage to other body parts. Therefore, not treating the damaged part, but indirectly treating the area of cause can alleviate the symptoms. A bio-dynamic relationship between the cervical and thoracic spine is associated with exercise, an important factor causing neck pain. Therefore, many clinicians pay attention to the thoracic spine of patients with neck pain and recommend thoracic extension exercises. On the other hand, many researchers recommended scapular stabilization exercise as a recovery treatment for imbalanced scapular muscles caused by forward head posture.

This study investigates how exercise programs not directly applied to the cervical spine affect people with text neck syndrome. The significance of the current study is to evaluate the comparison between concentric and eccentric exercise which is previously rarely investigated.

Study Design

Study Type:
Interventional
Anticipated Enrollment :
36 participants
Allocation:
Randomized
Intervention Model:
Parallel Assignment
Masking:
Double (Participant, Outcomes Assessor)
Primary Purpose:
Treatment
Official Title:
Comparative Effect of Scapular Stabilization Versus Thoracic Extension Exercises on Pain, Disability, Range of Motion, and Craniovertebral Angle in Young Adults With Text Neck Syndrome.
Actual Study Start Date :
May 8, 2023
Anticipated Primary Completion Date :
Dec 8, 2023
Anticipated Study Completion Date :
Jan 8, 2024

Arms and Interventions

Arm Intervention/Treatment
Experimental: Scapular Stabilization Exercises

Scapular stabilization exercises along with the hot pack and cervical AROM exercises

Other: Scapular stabilization exercises
The scapular stabilization exercises will be comprised of four exercise programs. Each exercise will be performed with two sets of 15 reps, 10 sec per rep 40 min per day, thrice per week for a total of six weeks. Baseline treatment will be the application of a hot pack for 7-10 minutes and cervical AROM exercises.

Experimental: Thoracic Extension Exercises

Thoracic extension exercises along with the hot pack and cervical AROM exercises

Other: Thoracic extension exercises
Thoracic extension exercises will be comprised of three exercise programs. Each exercise will be performed with two sets of 15 reps, 10 sec per rep 40 min per day, thrice per week for a total of six weeks. Baseline treatment will be the application of a hot pack for 7-10 minutes and cervical AROM exercises.

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcome Measures

  1. Neck disability index (NDI) [6 weeks]

    Changes from baseline. NDI is a valid and reliable tool having values ranging from 0.50 to 0.98. The NDI assessment involves a 10-item, 50-point index questionnaire that assesses the effects of neck pain and symptoms during a range of functional activities.

  2. Visual analogue scale (VAS) [6 weeks]

    Changes from baseline. The visual analogue scale (VAS) is a simple and frequently used method for the assessment of variations in intensity of pain. The reliability of the VAS for disability is moderate to good i.e. 0.98. However, its validity is questionable.

  3. Goniometer for cervical ROM [6 weeks]

    Changes from baseline. Goniometer has fair inter-tester reliability ranging from 0.79-0.92. Validity of this tool is good i.e. 0.97-0.98 This tool is most commonly used in the clinical settings for evaluating joint ROM.

  4. Photogrammetry for craniovertebral angle (image j software) [6 weeks]

    Changes from baseline. 'Image J', is an analysis software with high reliability and validity. In this study, CVA will be assessed using a digital camera. The camera will be placed 1.5 m away from the participant's right side to take a lateral photographic view of the participant's head and neck in a seated position. The CVA is the angle between the horizontal line passing the 7th Cervical vertebra (C7) and then the line extending from C7 to the tragus of the ear. The resulting mal-adaptive posture of neck will be determined using Image J software.

Eligibility Criteria

Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study:
19 Years to 30 Years
Sexes Eligible for Study:
All
Accepts Healthy Volunteers:
No
Inclusion Criteria:

Both male and female participants with forward head posture or text neck syndrome,

Participants with neck pain from the past three months,

Smartphones must be used for at least ≥3 hours each day,

Participants with CVA <53° will be included in this study.

Exclusion Criteria:

History of cervical and thoracic spine surgery within the past three months,

Serious pathological conditions within the past three months,

Congenital spinal anomalies, or rheumatoid arthritis.

Neurological signs and severe psychological disorders

Contacts and Locations

Locations

Site City State Country Postal Code
1 Punjab Employees Social Security Institute Lahore Punjab Pakistan 54000

Sponsors and Collaborators

  • Riphah International University

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Faiza Amjad, M.Phil, Riphah International University

Study Documents (Full-Text)

None provided.

More Information

Publications

Responsible Party:
Riphah International University
ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier:
NCT06108752
Other Study ID Numbers:
  • REC/RCR & AHS/23/0161
First Posted:
Oct 31, 2023
Last Update Posted:
Oct 31, 2023
Last Verified:
Oct 1, 2023
Individual Participant Data (IPD) Sharing Statement:
No
Plan to Share IPD:
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Drug Product:
No
Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated Device Product:
No
Keywords provided by Riphah International University
Additional relevant MeSH terms:

Study Results

No Results Posted as of Oct 31, 2023